> -----Original Message-----
> From: D East [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 1998 4:28 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: 40% deaths environmental--rebuttal (fwd)
>
>
>
>
> Norm Leonard wrote:
>
> > Population growth is the inevitable result of human behavior when it
> > remains unchecked. This is as true for us as it is for any
> other animal.
> > Yet it is also true that it is impossible to consume more
> energy than is
> > available to us. Thus, our population WILL be checked
> eventually, it is
> > only a matter of how.
> >
> >
> Duncan comments:
> This bit doesn't sound right. The population growth in most
> of the developed world
> is fairly static or even declining (replacement rate of
> around 1.9 in parts or
> europe I believe). This is due to modern lifestyles providing
> more choice of
> career etc and people opting to have children later if at
> all. Population
> increases in places such as the US are due mainly to
> immigration rather than birth
> rate.
>
> This would suggest that in fact population growth is self
> limiting as populations
> evolve. I guess the question is will they limit at a low
> enough level to be
> sustainable.
>
><snip>
Duncan East
Some suggest that population levels are already beyond sustainability as we
deplete irreplaceable energy and soil resources--unless, of course, technology
develops new sources of energy and food.
J. P. Earls, OSB
Department of English
St. John's University
Collegeville, MN 56321
Ph. (320) 363-2705
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